Halloween Cocktail - All the Boos

 

My Halloween tradition has always been to make a fun cocktail to enjoy while passing out candy to the trick or treaters.  Halloween in my neighborhood has evolved into truck or treat activities and while I won’t be participating in that, I still plan to enjoy my cocktail and have some candy available in case my doorbell does ring.  I do hope to see at least a few cuties in costumes, because it brings back so many wonderful memories of Halloween nights past, my girls and their excitement. 

Now for the cocktail.  This year I chose an espresso type martini, but since I don’t do caffeine at all, I just used decaf coffee.  It was delicious and while I normally don’t do sugar rims, this cinnamon and sugar rim was just the right touch for this coffee flavored drink.  Its not a typical martini and mostly alcohol, so really is more of a dessert cocktail and perfect for an after dinner treat.  

Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

All the Boos

Brew some strong coffee (I used decaf) ahead of time and chill until ready to use.

Rub the rim of a martini glass with a few drops of maple syrup then dip in a cinnamon and sugar mixture on a plate.

In a martini shaker filled with ice add 3 ounces chilled strong coffee, 1 ounce rum, 1 ounce Kaluha, 1 ounce maple syrup, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup half and half.  Shake well and then strain into the prepared martini glass. 

Makes 2 martini sized cocktails.

A Fall Visit

 

The plan last weekend was to visit Michigan to help host my nephew’s fiancé’s bridal shower.  Unfortunately, covid had a hand in upsetting those plans, so because I had a plane ticket, I decided to stick with my travels and spent a fun, fall weekend with Melissa instead.  

It was my first time seeing her new house and there is something special about seeing your daughter in a grown up, beautifully decorated space.  The first night I was treated to a lovely dinner by Melissa and her boyfriend, at the country club they joined this summer.  They love to golf and it is a perfect spot for them to enjoy dinners and pool time as well.  

Saturday morning, Melissa and I headed to a cider mill for hot spiced cider and warm cinnamon and sugar doughnuts.  There is nothing more synonymous with Fall in Michigan than experiencing that deliciousness and it was the number one thing I wanted to do. The rest of the day was spent watching football and our alma mater Michigan State beat Indiana, followed by a casual dinner out.

Brunch in Detroit was on the agenda for the next day and they took me to one of their favorite spots.  Detroit is adding new, interesting restaurants all the time and I had not been to San Morello  located in  The Shinola Hotel.  The food was amazing and the area is completely revitalized featuring a historical, brick alley, filled with more bars, restaurants and a coffee shop.  Detroit still gets a bad rap, but it really has come very far. The whole downtown area was vibrant and filled with spectators watching a marathon, going to brunch or arriving early for the Detroit Lions football game.

I spent my last night with a long over due visit to a good friend, before I headed to the airport and back to Florida.  Since the weather hovered in the mid to high fifties most of the weekend, I was happy to return to the Sunshine State, but already miss my girl.  Christmas isn’t that far away, right?

Making a Difference

 

When I first moved to Florida and wasn’t quite acclimated, I saw a bunch of volunteers in downtown Venice spreading mulch in the median.  My first thought was, I should do that someday.  Fast forward to now and because of my weekly volunteering for Venice Area Beautification, I will be helping on National Make a Difference Day and am even a team captain for a group of volunteers.  We will be spreading mulch in a city park and generally cleaning up and making it look pretty. Being involved in my city is important to me and using my gardening skills is the perfect fit.

And because that wasn’t enough, (I’m crazy, I know) there was a volunteer opportunity to join the horticulture team at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens (Spanish Point Campus) and it felt like a great way to experience a beautiful setting and also meet people a bit further a field in Sarasota.  It has been very rewarding, because help is definitely needed and I feel like I am making a difference.  I especially enjoy arriving in the morning before this historical campus is open to the public and when it is so peaceful.  The early morning Gulf views are a major perk too. The past two Saturdays I have been weeding a butterfly garden and how great is that for a work location?

I’m not sure where this volunteerism in me started, but it’s something I have done my whole adult life and find it extremely rewarding.  You also meet the friendliest like minded people who aren’t afraid of a little hard work.